Stockholm, 30/04/2015
Where is now? Since 2004, the number of nations participating in has risen 50%, from 37 to 53 An increase of 300% on FEI events to over 900 per year More than 6.000 riders registered Over 10.000 registered horses Combined they travel over 2.000.000 Km in FEI competitions every year Fastest growing of the FEI disciplines and 2 nd biggest number of competitors and events
What problems are we facing now? The discipline has grown to fast Speed of the rides have increased over the last 20 years from 15 Kph to over 25Kph Much greater competitiveness along with greater participation Greater difficulty in granting the welfare of the horse Injuries and fatalities still occur in much greater number than we would like Rules had to be updated in order to create some balance in this new scenario
What measures were taken? An Strategic Planning Group (ESPG) was created in July 2013 by the FEI Bureau It was an Independent Group from the FEI that included Officials, Vets and Athletes with International experience in The ESPG was tasked by the FEI Bureau to develop a strategic plan for and to make recommendations to address the issues within the sport In particular the need to reduce the scale of positive dope tests and incidents of equine injury In April 2014 a Task Force was created as well by the FEI Executive Board The Task Force will be looking at systems that will ensure horse welfare and a level playing field, and the use of modern technology is a key component of that. Press statement of the 11 April 2014 by the FEI SG
ESPG recommendations The result of the Group s work was 41 recommendations together with a five-year strategic plan. The ESPG was disbanded on completion of its final report and its recommendations formed the basis of new rules that came into effect on 1 August 2014 The ESPG report covered a wide range of subjects and made proposals to address issues relating to structure and governance, financing and policing of the sport. The values of horse welfare, clean sport and integrity were prioritized throughout. The ESPG also called on the National Federations to provide leadership and to drive the necessary culture change in with regard to anti-doping and horse welfare and to ensure that their member athletes take individual and collective responsibility for the welfare of their horses at all times.
Rules changes August 2014 Codex for Athletes and Registered Trainers Competing in FEI Events Codex for FEI Officials Under the absolute control of the Course Designer or TD loops of the course must not be specially designed and constructed for speeds likely to subject the Horses to increased risk of injury during Competition. Mandatory Rest Period for Horses was increased for consecutive lameness Athlete Penalty Points will be awarded to each Athlete should their Horse be eliminated at an FEI Event due to metabolic reasons and/or Catastrophic Injuries. Penalty points are accumulated from the first penalty rolling forward for a period of 12 months. Heart Rate Assessment Protocol was established Independent Governance Advisors (IGAs) was created
Penalty points August 2014 to March 2015
Task Force recommendations The final report was delivered and approved at the 2014 FEI General Assembly in Baku (AZE) The recommendations are grouped into two specific sections. Firstly, recommendations linked to Championships - logistics, IT requirements and minimum administration criteria. 5 recommendations The second section relates to consideration of change in terms of competition formats and athlete and horse qualification. 6 recommendations The FEI Technical Committee is now studying and analyzing the recommendations and will come up with suggestions for the NF s to comment before implementation
Task Force part I & II From the first part (recommendation 3): The number of participants per competition/event should be limited. The Technical Committee should identify the maximum capacity of a competition/event as experience showed clearly that even when there is a sufficient number of officials there is maximum capacity and beyond this it is not any longer possible to guarantee the welfare of the horses. From the second part (recommendation 5): Explore possible format changes for Championships. The present one day competition format is both costly and difficult for an OC. The possibility of extending the event over a number of day would provide better opportunity to show case the event, potential increases in income to the OC and also create more interest from the public. It would also be an opportunity to increase the required level of horsemanship and horse management if the event was extended into two or more days.
The number of participants per competition/event should be limited For the WEG the TC proposes: The maximum number of combinations per NF is 4. Only the highest placed 3 members shall count for the team classification. Countries that start less than 3 combinations shall only be eligible for individual classifications.
Explore possible format changes for Championships For the WEG the TC proposes: That the competition change from a 160 km format to a 2 day 100km per day competition for the WEG That the Best Conditioned horse competition will be assessed under saddle to a prescribed test Day 1 First Inspection & trot ups Day 2 Start 100 km ride Day 3 Start second day 100 km Day 4 Best conditioned work out under saddle and Medal awards
Reasons for this change and changes It s a recommendation from the Task Force All FEI disciplines must change the format for the WEG WEG competition change from a 160 km format to a 2 day 100km per day with a Grand Prix finish. Longer format that makes better use of facilities and infrastructures More strategic and technical competition One event over two days with 100 Km each day A long overnight hold or rest period Go to fast on the 1 st day jeopardises success on the 2 nd day Better exposure for media and public The maximum number of combinations per NF is 4. Only the highest placed 3 members shall count for the team classification. Countries that start less than 3 combinations shall only be eligible for individual classifications.
Discipline Duration at WEG 6 days of Reining (including 2 rest days); 6 days of Jumping (including 1 rest day); 5 days of Dressage (including 1 rest day); 5 days of Demonstration Disciplines; 5 days of Para-Dressage; 4 days of Eventing; 4 days of Vaulting; 4 days of Driving; 1 day of
Spectator Attendance Eventing: 94,600 spectators over 4 days Dressage: 83,000 spectators over 4 days Jumping: 110,000 spectators over 5 days Driving: 31,700 spectators with a marathon viewed by 16,000 persons Vaulting: 33,300 spectators over 4 days Reining: 14,000 spectators over 4 days : 6,000 spectators
GEIS Analysis 2014 Global Injuries Study
GEIS Analysis 2014 Entries vs Incidents by level of competition 7000 6522 6000 5446 5000 4000 3000 2000 1678 1000 0 153 280 372 CEI1* CEI2* CEI3* ENTRIES INJURIES source GEIS REPORTS & FEI Database
CEI s analysis
GEIS Figures 2014 14000 13646 12000 10000 500 450 400 492 8000 350 300 6000 4000 2000 805 250 200 150 100 50 144 16 0 entries injuries 0 lame metabolic ortho Worldwide Total of Entries Total of Injuries Reported Total of Non Fatal Fractures 13646 805 10 11 492 LAME 144 METABOLIC 169 RET/FTC/TIME /OTHERS Fatalities
GEIS 2014 Entries vs Fractures & Fatalities per Group 5000 4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 5193 870 162 485 95 3900 2059 4 4 5 7 591 291 Group I Group II Group III Group IV Group V Group VI Group VII Group VIII Group IX entries fractures fatalities
Speeds of successful horses at WEG and WC
Horse Welfare Completion rates during same periods
For WEG: 2 x 100km Event Qualifications 1) Of the 2 CEI 3* events - 100km in 2 days - one must be at the minimum speed of 14 kph and the same distance, weight and time frame as the 4* Championship (2) The qualification must be achieved no earlier than 24 months prior to, no later than the close of nominated entries for Championship and/or 60 days prior to the event, which ever comes first. (3) This one ride must be in combination with the nominated Horse unless that Athlete is a Senior Elite Athlete (4) The qualification ride must be completed within the winning time + 20%
CEI s held on more than one day evaluation:
For CEI4* 160km Events (1) Of the 2 CEI 3* events 160km - one must be at the minimum speed of 14 kph and the same distance, weight and time frame as the 4* Championship (2) The qualification must be achieved no earlier than 24 months prior to, no later than the close of nominated entries for Championship and/or 60 days prior to the event, which ever comes first. (3) This one ride must be in combination with the nominated Horse unless that Athlete is a Senior Elite Athlete (4) The qualification ride must be completed within the winning time + 20%
160 Km 2014 evaluation
on the next ten years? What s definition for the FEI? Riding is a test of the competitor s ability to safely manage the stamina and fitness of the horse over an endurance course in a speed competition against the track, the distance, the climate, the terrain and the clock. We must keep this is mind at all times and stay focus on it so that we can protect our discipline
What can we do? Continue to follow up closely the recommendations of the ESPG and Task Force and implement them at all times Need to have a: Better compliance with the rules Better educational courses for Officials Better educational courses for coaching Better education for the athletes Stronger measures against infractions Better Organizers Better surveillance on horses Reduce speeds
Were we will be in ten years? With a better that complies with it s essence thorough knowledge of their horse s capabilities and ability to cross all kinds of terrain. Although the rides are timed, the emphasis is on finishing in good condition rather than coming in first. With a credible equestrian discipline A reference in what it concerns the welfare of the horse With great top sport
Open for discussion
Thank You for your attention